It is amazing how ordinary events seem to press on my time – and have since before the holidays. As a solo operator of my business, when I have the good fortune to be providing services to my clients four or five days a week (plus prep time), squeezing in time to write doesn’t quite make it to the top of the day’s priority list. Then the holiday celebrations arrive and time with family and friends – not to mention a little self down-time. With the start of a new year, there is the flurry of activity – client contact, service days, training prep – that pushes writing out of the top spot.
Then something like the recent earthquake in Haiti puts my life “troubles” in stark perspective. This is an event. This demands action from all of us in whatever measure we can provide it. I admire the people who can and do travel to help, whether it is part of their job or as a volunteer. Some people send financial contributions. Everyone can send positive thoughts and prayers to the people who are injured, lost, missing, or left behind.
Does it have to take something as big as an earthquake to shake us out of our self-involved lives? Even here in the United States, there are people who need a helping hand. The recent extreme cold highlighted the plight of the homeless here in metro Washington DC area. It’s not like there are only homeless people when it is cold. There are those who are aware of needs because they work or volunteer as part of their regular life. I got an email from a school friend, who it turns out has a longstanding relationship with a village in Haiti and asked for financial help for those people 120 miles from Port-au-Prince – far from the mainstream of aid headed for Haiti. (If you want to learn more see: http://NewLifeForHaiti.org)
It had never come up in conversation that this guy and his family were involved in this charitable work. Do you know what good works your team members are doing? If you have no clue, you might ask. Who knows what insight into their motivation you might gain.
